The Human Services Board of Wabasha County, Minnesota, convened in Regular Session at the County Services Building, in the City of Wabasha, Minnesota at 9:30 a.m., August 28, 2012 in accordance with MS 402.01 to 402.10. The previous meeting was recessed to this time and place.

The following members were present: Commissioners Hall, Harms, Norman, Roschen, and Wobbe.

Absent: None

HARMS – NORMAN

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wabasha County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the agenda, with one change:

Hiring of the Environmental Tech moved from Action Items to Informational

Adopted Unanimously.

HARMS – HALL

WHEREAS, the Minutes of the July 24, 2012 meeting have been presented for review and that no changes have been made to the Minutes;

BE IT RESOLVED, the Human Services Board accepts the Minutes as an accurate reflection of the content and actions taken at its previous meetings.

Adopted Unanimously

HARMS – HALL

WHEREAS, the Director of Social Services has advised that all Income Maintenance case actions are in conformance with State, Federal, and County laws, rule, regulations and policies;

BE IT RESOLVED, that all Income Maintenance case openings, closings, suspensions, grant changes and any other action affecting client eligibility and payments documented in the Department on listing of proposed case actions, (through MAXIS computerized client files and reports, and MMIS II), Director's Actions, abstracts of payment, and reports of refunds and cancellations for the period 7/24/12 through 8/27/12 are hereby approved.

WHEREAS, the Directors of Public Health and Social Services have advised that all Public Health and Social Services case actions are in conformance with State, Federal and County laws rules, regulations and policies;

BE IT RESOLVED, that all Public Health and Social Services case openings, closings, payments, placements and licensing actions as documented in the Department on Agency listing for Licensing actions, case records, record of Social Service plan, purchase of service abstracts, reports of refunds and cancellations, payment authorizations and computer printouts for 7/24/12 through 8/27/12 are hereby approved.

WHEREAS, the Directors of Public Health and Social Services have advised that all personnel actions are in conformance with State and Federal law, Merit System rules, existing labor agreements and personnel policies;

BE IT RESOLVED, that all personnel actions for 7/24/12 through 8/27/12 for employees of the Departments of Public Health and Social Services as documented in the Department on proposed personnel actions listing, personnel abstracts, payroll reports and personnel actions forms are hereby approved.

WHEREAS, the Directors of Public Health and Social Services have advised that all Public Health claims and, Social Services and Welfare claims against the County submitted for payment for 7/24/12 through 8/27/12 have been reviewed and are eligible for payment pursuant to all applicable rules, regulations, laws and policies;

BE IT RESOLVED, that all bills as listed on listing of warrants and claims against the Public Health, Social Services and Welfare funds and warrant registers shall be approved as valid claims against the County and are hereby approved for payment.

WHEREAS, the Directors of Public Health and Social Services have advised that employee requests to attend conferences and/or training have met approval of Administration, and are within the budgetary guidelines of the Agency;

BE IT RESOLVED, that all requests presented by the Directors of Public Health and Social Services are hereby approved.

Adopted Unanimously.

HARMS - HALL

Whereas, the Wabasha County Human Services Board is the host for group residential housing (GRH) agreements to providers with facilities within Wabasha County; and

Whereas, Minnesota Statutes 256I.01 through 256I.06 set forward the "Group Residential Housing Act", which establishes a comprehensive system of rates and payments for persons who reside in the community and who meet the eligibility criteria set forward therein; and

Whereas, "Group residential housing rate" means a monthly rate set for shelter, fuel, food, utilities, household supplies, and other costs necessary to provide room and board for eligible individuals. Group residential housing rate does not include payments for foster care for children who are not blind, child welfare services, medical care, dental care, hospitalization, nursing care, drugs or medical supplies, program costs, or other social services, and

Whereas, the State of Minnesota has approved a rate of $867.00 for GRH facilities and host counties therefore need to establish agreements with the providers to meet the needs of our residents; and

Whereas, the Director of Social Services recommends approval of these contracts;

Now, therefore be it resolved the Wabasha County Human Services Board approves a new group residential housing agreement, effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. The monthly rate is $867.00, representing no rate increase from last year, as required by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The new provider is:

Mary Fellows, Wabasha

Adopted Unanimously.

CONSENSUS

Whereas, the Department of Social Services had received approval to fill the vacancy of Collections Officer (Motion by Roschen, Second by Hall) at the June 25th meeting of the Human Services Board; and

Whereas, the Director and Fiscal Supervisor have discussed the potential to contract this work to Winona County; and

Whereas, it is the recommendation of the Director and Fiscal Supervisor that this position be filled by hiring an employee to work in the Wabasha County offices; and

Whereas, the County Board of Commissioners has contracted with Springstead to complete a compensation study and organizational review (county-wide), and would prefer to review these studies before acting upon the Resolution that was passed in June;

Therefore, the Wabasha County Human Services Board authorizes the Department of Social Services to delay interviewing and hiring a qualified candidate to fill the position of Collections Officer until the data from Springstead has been received & reviewed.

HARMS – ROSCHEN

Whereas, the Director of Social Services has provided detailed information to the Human Services Board on the vehicles available through the State bid contract; and

Whereas, a replacement vehicle has been included in the 2012 budget for Social Services; and

Whereas, the 2009 Malibu has approximately 60,000 miles driven and is the vehicle to be moved to the general county car pool, for use by the Assessor's Office, upon purchase of a 2012 vehicle; and

Whereas, the purchase of a vehicle by the Department of Social Services provides the highest level of reimbursement and is cost-effective; and

Whereas, the Director of Social Services recommends the purchase of a 2012 vehicle and transfer of the 2009 vehicle to the general car pool;

Now, therefore be it resolved, the Human Services Board authorizes the Director of Social Services to purchase a replacement vehicle for the Department, and transfer of the 2009 Malibu to the Assessor's Office upon arrival of the new vehicle. The specific vehicle to be purchased will meet the criteria set forward by the Board and within the budgetary limits of the Department.

Voting For: Hall, Harms, Norman & Roschen

Voting Against: Wobbe

HARMS – HALL

Whereas, the Wabasha County Social Services and Public Health Services staff has provided input to the 2013 budget committee regarding expenses and revenues for the Department of Social Services; and

Whereas, the Directors of Public Health and Social Services recommend acceptance of the recommended budget for 2013;

Now, therefore be it resolved the Wabasha County Human Services Board approves the 2013 budget for the Department of Social Services with anticipated expenditures and revenues of $4,164,098. The total levy request to support this budget is $1,596,505. The Public Health Services anticipates expenditures and revenues in the amount of $1,194,168. A total tax levy to support this budget is $288,726. Approval of these budgets will be forwarded to the County Board for consideration in County budget.

Adopted Unanimously.

DISCUSSION and INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Environmental Health Services Report

No report this month.

Social Services Quarterly Reports

Marci Hitz, Jennifer Blattner, Cindy Lundstrom, Sylvia Tolzin, and Lynette Lachinski provided an update on disability services to the Board. Program areas include: adult mental health, chemical dependency, developmental disabilities, and waivered services. Hitz provided statistical data on the program areas and emerging trends seen by staff. Staff was then asked a few questions to help Board members understand more detail on the programs and how services are delivered. Staff authorizes more than $12 million each year in services to Wabasha County residents in this set of programs.

Redesign Project

In early August, there was a meeting of representatives from Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Fillmore and Houston counties to continue exploration of a service model that would not be developed with a service delivery authority focus. Harms, Wobbe and Smith represented Wabasha County at this meeting.

Most counties are interested in developing partnerships to enhance our service delivery and to help contain expenses. Winona County adopted a position to empower all staff to bring forward ideas that would further collaboration with other counties. No firm decisions were made on next steps for this group of 5 counties. Each county wants to see what performance outcome measures are adopted by the Legislature, and to then have more discussion on building upon our individual strengths.

Smith requested direction on another meeting of the 6 counties (Houston, Waseca, Mower, Freeborn, Dodge and Steele) looking at forming a partnership using the service delivery authority legislation. Board members felt Smith should attend this meeting to learn what is happening, and potentially use that knowledge for other partnerships.

PHS/SS Miscellaneous

Barton reports that Britney Bramer will be starting Oct. 3 as the environmental technician; she will be hired on Grade 8, starting step $17.77/hour. Once she is registered as a MN Sanitarian she will advance to Grade 9.

Barton reported that there is an outbreak of Pertussis occurring in MN, especially southern Minnesota. State that Olmsted County and Buffalo County in WI both have had numerous reported cases. States that Wabasha County has recently had their first reported case. She will have an article in the weekly papers next week encouraging residents to be aware and get vaccinated when appropriate.

Barton is working with Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center on doing the required Community Needs Assessment. Both the Medical Center and Public Health are now both required to do a Community Needs Assessment so they are collaborating and doing one assessment that will serve the needs of both organizations. In the past non-profit hospitals have not been required to do this assessment so this is a new venture for them. MDH and Stratis Health (a private consulting firm who received a grant to work with us) are working with our two organizations, as this is the first joint Community Health Assessment between a medical center and public health agency which is being done in the state. Work will continue through at least the end of the year. Public forums will be held in October to get Public input.

Barton reported that she has participation in 2 meetings with MDH looking at a Public Health Act re-write and needed changes to bring it up to date with the current environment of Public Health. Approximately 15 people statewide (some local Directors, some MDH staff) are involved in this process. MDH is judging the strength of Political will to see when the best time to actually introduce a new bill updating the act would be.

Smith and Barton attended an Open House to commemorate the 10th anniversary of South County Health Alliance (SCHA) in operation. Commissioner Norman, County Coordinator Hoffman, and SCHA Care Coordinator Jodi Johnson also attended. Staff will meet to help put together a local celebration for SCHA.

HARMS – HALL

Being no further business to come before the Human Services Board, motion was made and duly carried at 11:37 a.m. to recess this meeting until 9:30 a.m. on September 25, 2012.